Hydractor cap



March 28, 1944., c, w, HALL 2,345,044-

HYDRATOR CAP Filed Oct. 6, 1941 VENTOR.

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Patented Mar. 28, 1944 Charles W; Hall, Los Angel'es Calif;

Application October 6, 1941, Serial No. 4135863 1 Claim.

My invention relates'to improvements in hydrator caps and moreparticuarly to a cap which is used as a bottle or-flask connector ofatype which is used for administering oxygen gas in medical practice andrequiring an exceptionally tight fit. The primary object of my inventionis to provide adevice of its kind which has exceptional structuralprovisions for producing a tight connection with the humidi-fyingchamber of the bottle or other type of flask and at the same timeflexibly supporting the flask to provide freedom which reduces thehazard of breaking theiiask by accidental blows or of interrupting theconnection b'etwen the source of supply of oxygen gas and, the patientto whom the oxygen gas is administered. Otherobjects and advantages willbe apparent from the following description including the accompanyingdrawing in which, Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of my improvedhydrator cap which is shown applied in use to a liquid container orflask, a portion of the latter being broken away to expose the oxygengas feed tube therein and the resilient protector on the bottom of theflask being also shown in central vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of my improved hydrator cap removed from the liquid container.

Broadly my invention provides a resilient connector made out of rubber,neoprene or other resilient material, resembling a cap or socket throughwhich an oxygen gas feed tube projects downwardly into the body ofhydrating liquid contained in the flask and having an upwardly extendingnipple secured over said tube to provide a dangling support for the capon said tube, an egress flexible duct from the side of the cap forconveying hydrated or humidified oxygen gas to a patient and grippingmeans on the lower end of the cap for tightly engaging the neck of theflask to provide a leakproof joint and support the flask without loss orunintentional interruption of the flow of gas through the liquid bathcontained in the flask and outwardly through said egress duct.

In the drawing, A indicates a flask having a body I and a neck I lforming a mouth, said body containing suflicient liquid such as water toprovide a bath through which the oxygen gas is forced for humidifyingthe gas for use in the treatment of pneumonia or other diseases. Theupper end of the neck H has an outer thread l2 terminating in an annulargroove [3 below which is an annular outer shoulder or bead M. Bindicates my improved cap which functions as a connector through whichoxygen gas is conducted from a source of supply such as the container Ginto and through the body of water or other liquid bath in the flask tomoisten the gas, and out-.

wardly to a distant point such as a nasal inhaler E, or other mask oroxygen tent (not shown). The cap resembles a. socket and is made out ofrubber, neoprene orother suitable freely flexible resilient material andhas a thin walled cylindrical body It tapering upwardly and terminatingin a thin walled cylindrical elastic stem or nipple ii. Asubstantiallyrigid oxygen gas supply tube- D of comparatively smalldiameter extends downwardly through the cap and into the flask, itslower end terminating in the bath of liquid contained intheflask and itsupper end being engaged under embracing elasticity and being alsosecured to said stem by cementing or other suitable means.

The lower end portion of the cap is formed with an internal annulus Hi,the lower portion of which has an inner annular gripping groove l9 whichengages the bead H on the neck of the flask. The portion of the annulusadjacent to the groove I 9 has an inner protruding annular shoulder 20which ngages the neck of the flask in its groove 13. Spaced upwardlyabove the shoulder 20 in position to inwardly engage over the upperextremity of the neck of the flask is an internal annular abutmentshoulder 2|. The groove l9 and shoulders 20 and 2| cooperating togetherand with the neck of the flask produce a gas tight connection betweenthe flask and cap, of sufficient resistance so that the flask isembraced tightly by the cap without danger of unintentionaldisconnection when the flask is suspended from a support.

The passage 22 through the abutment shoulder 2| around the rigid oxygengas supply tube D is sufflcient to permit the free passage of oxygen gasfrom the flask outwardly through egress duct 23. The screw thread I2 isadapted to assist by revolving motion of either the flask or cap orbothin joining the cap Over the neck and into tight engagement. Theannular channel 24 within the cap between the annular shoulders 21) and2| accommodates the thread I2 freely when the cap is fully connected onthe flask. By stretching the lower end of the cap by hand the cap can beforced oil of the neck to disconnect the flask from the cap. The duct 23leading from the body of the cap is coupled with a flexible duct 25leading to the nasal inhaler E or other suitable applicator, by asuitable tubular connector 26.

The upper end of the rigid oxygen gas supply tube D has a coupling 30which is supported by the supply duct 3i leading to the oxygen gassupply container C. This coupling provides a detachable connection forthe supply of oxygen gas to the rigid supply tube D. Also the couplingprovides a connection with a gauge 21 for indicaing the pressure ofoxygen gas being administered.

In use the rigid oxygen gas supply tube D is coupled to a support suchas 3| with said tube depending and the supply of o gen gas from the tankC connected to the coupling, the cap B having previously been fastenedover the tube with the tube depending therefrom. The flask is nextsecured by its neck to the lower end of the cap. In this manner adangling Support is provided by the cap and its flexible stem from theupper end of the oxygen supply tube, where by the flask and the cap arenot liable, to be injured by a patient or attendant during operation.The dangling feature is augmented by the stem I? which is of reduceddiameter upwardly from the body of the cap, whereby it is of weakenedresistance approaching upwardly to its point of attachment to the rigidoxygen supply tube D. Also the coupling between the cap and neck of theflask is secure against disconnection leakage or interruption of theflow of oxygen gas through the hydrating bath in the flask. The cap Bhas a relief valve F in its side which permits the escape of excessivepressure of gas from within.

The lower end of the rigid oxygen supply tube D is provided with aresilient buffer 35 which reduces the hazard of breaking the flask whenthe latter is subjected to accidental knocks or jars.

Also a resilient bufler cup 36 closely embraces the lower end of theflask to additionally protect the flask against breaking. The cap B andbuffers 35 and 35 being made out of comparatively soft resilientmaterial, in addition to protecting the parts of the apparatus frombreaking also reduces the conduction of sound and rattle of the parts toa minimum which has usually heretofore been found objectionable in asick room.

In addition to my improved hydrator cap providing a tight connectionover the neck of the flask and a freely flexible dangling support forthe flask, it is thoroughly sanitary and can be thoroughly cleaned andsterilized between operations.

Modifications within th scope of the following claim and within thespirit of the invention are contemplated.

Iclaim:

A hydrator cap for engaging the neck of a flask to sustain the latter,comprising, a resilient neck engaging socket having a thin walled hollowbody fully open at its lower end and pro vided with an integral longfreely flexible stem extending upwardly from said body, said body havingan inner annular gripping groove in its lower end, an annular abutmentshoulder above said groove and an inhaling fluid conducting ductconnected with and leading outwardly from the side of said body, andsaid stem having an embracing resilient tip and tapering upwardly towardits tip to weaken its swinging resistance and provide swinging spacewithin and a free dangling support for the flask by said stem.

CHARLES W. HALL.

